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I am Catholic and has followed the teaching of the Church - no Capital Punishment.

I know this topic will bring on much debate. It is hard on me too. I just want to be back to the basic, no one has right over anyone’s life. Even that someone validated the right but I have no right to condemn another human beings. Lock them up is fine with me even it is costing all the tax payers.

2267 Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.

Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity “are very rare, if not practically non-existent.”

If the proof is loud and clear then I believe the death penalty is what they deserve.Actually, depending on the crime, death may be way too easy.I think we should hang them in the town square and stone them to death. Depending on the crime, of course.

Yes I believe in the death penalty. I’ve been in arguments with people over the subject and I always ask them “well, if your child, spouse, parent or other family was brutally murdered would you want them to get 5-10 years and get early probation for “good behavior” and be back on the streets???? Just my belief though. I also don’t think it’s right to put some one on dp and keep them behind bars at 30K a year in tax dollars for 14 plus years and THEN execute them. They get 3 hot meals a day, free health care (which I don’t) plus a free education. What’s the delay????

Amen Gators! Your right......they did not give their victim/s a chance. And.....they usually have no regret what so ever. Which means, they will do it again. Does Ted Bundy, The BTK Killer, the Green River Killer sound familiar?????

I agree that innocent people have been convicted of crimes they didn't do. However, if you have a full blown confession, DNA evidence that proves without a doubt the killer is guilty then I say yes to the death penalty. I know a lot of people feel it's barbaric but if you consider the brutality they inflicted on their victims and will continue to do, a "steralized" needle in the arm seems rather mild to me.

Like I say all the time, I wonder if people against it would feel the same if their child was raped and then murdered. Or their spouse or parents, etc.

I’m not trying to aggravate anyone here I’m just stating my beliefs. Oh, and I would be courious to know (God forbid) anyone lost a family member due to a violent criminal, would they be ok with them getting 10-15 (and their tax dollars supporting him/her) years and then paroled in 6-8 years for “good behavior” and back out on the streets???

Ah Angel cart, you raise a different point. A) if they are in prison they can't continue to be violent which presupposes that B)life should mean that just that. Life and no parole for a particular type of crime, as it does here.The Yorkshire Ripper here, an infamous murderer from a some years back, for example, will never get out of prison. I canot condone state killing but neither do I think violent dangerous evil people should ever be released. I do believe the barbarity of killing demeans us all though and when we had the death penalty we made some famous mistakes.

And as for public stonings....words fail me. I’m afraid. But I guess we‘re all entitled to our views and these are mine. Regards all,Jane

In the UK we haven’t had capital punishment in Scotland since 1963 and in the UK since 1964.

As Jane has pointed out we too had a serial killer which actually the murders were committed during my late teens and near my home town - on the Pennines and did cast a blight across the country - as a child I vividly remember the infamous Moors Murders where a man and woman abducted children off the street and murdered them - but we have the provision of Life meaning Life in prison.

As a Catholic I do think only one man can truly judge and everyone has to answer one day.

This is a very emotive and contentious issue and for the families involved I'm sure very raw. But, what if you are wrong and you do kill the wrong person.... What about their family knowing their loved one was wrongly accused and pilloried and killed – then wrongly?

Jane, I appreciate your pov. I do have to disagree that just because they are behind bars that they can't continue violance. There are many inmates who are murdered by other inmates. As well as guards. And, there have been numerous cases where the criminal is sentenced to life but they eventually do get out on parole. Not familiar with the Yorkshire Ripper. I know the system isn't perfect. Regarding the dp, I'm not in favor of public stonings, shooting squads, hangings or any public execution. We don't do those in this country. Some years back Gov. Ann Richardson released thousands of prisoner's (violent one's at that) due to prison over-population. Guess what? Several went right back to killing. People in Texas were outraged over the early release and the outcome of it.

I’m sure we could go back and forth on our belief’s and we are all entitled to them. I just wanted to let you know that there have been numerous inmates murdered in prisons here in Texas.

Vicki - like I stated. ONLY if they have 100% proof the person committed the crime. I too was raised in the Catholic church yet I have very strong feelings regarding this topic as well as all the other ladies. That’s what I love about this site is we can all express our own feelings and beliefs. Normally I do not get into a discussion about the death penalty because it is such a sensitive subject. But I feel I can express myself here witout being judged.

You are right, in the end, one will do the judging - it’s not for your or I to judge.

Thanks, I appreciate your point of view too! Many here would agree with you. Re stonings, that was in response to a comment made earlier by some. I love the US and visit often (but never Texas yet)and know it doesn’t do that. I also know it varies considerably from State to State.

Have a good evening - well, it’s evening here and I am about to ease myself into a hot bath, get a glasss of wine or maybe even a highland malt whisky and just chill.